feather details

[Juhani]

Currently working on a chickadee carving and curious how one would get the feather details into a bird without burning them. Is it done with a tiny bit or is one able to get it done by hand somehow. I thought I had it figured out but when i sealed the bird most of the detail I put in lifted up and disappeared. No big deal as I am learning as I go but it does make me curious. It very well may be that I am totally off track here. As for the chickadee I will post a picture later, currently am in the middle of painting it.

[mark yundt]

Juhani.You can carve out a feather,put grooves in it using a "v" too, add a quill down the middle,but it will never equal the detail burning in these details will achieve.If you 're going for the look of an actual feather, splits ,lines up to 200 an inch to make them look like velvet,burning is the only way.If you have just tried to press or crease them in place, finish will swell the fibers and all detail will be lost.I'm not sure what type of wood you are using.I've seen some bird carvings in basswood that were amazing, but not usually to the level that a tupelo, stoned,burned and painted piece can achieve.If you can show us a picture of the type and level of realism you are looking for , post it and I'm sure you 'll get a response as to how to do it.

[Nancy-ID]

Mark, I don't know if this is your first posting or if I've been missing something but I just went to your website and WOW. You are an incredible carver! Just had to tell ya

[mark yundt]

Right back at 'ya,,been to your site several times...beautiful work!!! I've been posting for about a month now,,took me a few tries to attach photos, think I got the hang of that now.So now I just poke my nose in , look around add my 2 cents worth and have fun.

Was curious,, how big is that Elk,,, I've done some deer captured in a column,,the antlers are killers to do .Yours came out very well.

[Juhani]

Mark, yes I am using basswood on the chickadee and seeing as how I don't have a burner I am going to have to find a v tool and learn how to use it. The details that I lost on the chickadee were for the most part creased in with a dull knife. Eventually I would like to attempt a carving striving for the look of actual feathers....maybe I need to start with a single feather.....................

[mark yundt]

I had a feeling that's what happened.You can start with a single feather,or what I used to do is do simple outlines of the size and shape of the feathers right on a block or board. An individual feather can be hard to hold, but when you line up a bunch of them on a board or block it's easy to hold, they aren't very deep so you can use the block for any other carving as well as compare different techniques as you go down the line. Try painting them there as well, it's all good practice rather than trying to practice on your carving.One thing I'm sure you realize is using a "V" tool won't produce the exact look of an actual feather,but you will gain skill in controling your tools to make tiny ,delicate ,feathery looking lines. Keep us posted.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

do a search on "Kolrosing" , not as good as a woodburner, but just thought that you might get very close to the effect of a feather using kolrosing after carving?

[mark yundt]

Yes, that is another technique to try.You'll learn that you like it and it works for you , or that it's not the finish you're looking for.Either way you will learn something. But Hi Ho,didn't you get the memo that you're not supposed to give out to new carvers all this lingo that will just confuse them.They're supposed to just go out , get some experience for a few years and then it'll make sense to them.You'll also guarrantee their first carvings will look like their last.I personally don't see the logic in that,but hey, what do I know.I don't have the experience some of the carvers on this board do.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Guess I missed that one

[Juhani]

Thanks again I will go check it out, and as far as more info as a beginner, the question is this; If I don't hear the "lingo" how am I ever going to know to be able to ask what it is? For my part anyways the more info the better, even if it means my asking a few more questions.